After seven practices, one player has taken New Orleans Saints training camp by storm: sixth-round rookie wide receiver Barion Brown.
Whether making plays in one-on-one, stretching the field or showing off his ability with the ball in his hands, it seems as if every notable moment in the passing game has ended in the hands of No. 19.
On Thursday, the day came to a close with Brown reeling in a 46-yard reception for a touchdown in an end-of-game two-minute simulation in which the offense was down by four points. His touchdown reception would have been the go-ahead score with less than 30 seconds left on the clock, delivered on a scrambling heave by quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Brown recalled the play after practice, noting that his chance to make a play became evident once the play call came in.
“We (were in) two-minute,” Brown said. “So, I’m looking to end the game. Got that play call and got to the line line like, ‘Okay, this is the one.’ Just always looking to make the play.”
That mentality has put him in position on several occasions now to establish himself as more than just a camp darling or flash in the pan, but instead as a player ready to seize an opportunity to become a key contributor to the offense.
Entering the league via the draft after one season at LSU, all eyes were on his special teams ability. Brown had returned six kick returns for touchdowns throughout his collegiate career, all of which for 99 or more yards. He finished his college career one return touchdown shy of the NCAA record.
Now, he’s getting a chance to stake his claim not just as a special teams contributor, but to one in the receiving game.
“Just keep going,” he said. “Never get too high, never get too low. I can’t go home and be too happy and all this. Or can’t go home and be too low on myself. Just always looking to get better, whether it’s good plays or bad plays. The best plays, me and coach are still in there, he’s coaching me up, ‘You can do this better. You can do this better.’ On the bad plays, he’s still coaching me up. Just always looking to get better.”
A Nashville, Tenn. native, Brown has referenced before coming from a rough upbringing. Now, he’s a drafted NFL wide receiver who’s making waves that are bringing him attention on a team that also invested the No. 8 overall selection at his same position and signed a young veteran wideout to a massive extension in the same offseason. Despite everything going on in a promising and talented wide receiver room, Brown has dominated headlines.
His hope is that as he continues, younger players will take inspiration from his ascension.
“I just know that back at home there’s some kids out there, just need a little bit of hope,” he said. “They may think I’m going through something and they’re going through something way worse. Or vice versa. I just wanted to let them know to keep going, just keep pushing and always be respectful to your parents. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, no matter what you’re going through. It’s going to be hard to make due, but I promise you, just trust the man up above, just keep going and keep working and the light will shine one day.”
